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What Is Autism? | Types
of Autism | What Causes Autism? | How
is Autism Diagnosed?
What Are People with Autism Like? | Links
to More Information
What is Autism?
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during
the first three years of life. It is the result of a neurological disorder
that affects the functioning of the brain. No count has ever been made
of exactly how many people have autism, but the National Institutes of
Health's long-term study of 50,000 births found that autism occurred in
16 of these births. Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls
and knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries. Family lifestyle and
educational levels do not affect the chance of autism's occurrence.
Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of communication
skills and social interaction. The disorder makes it difficult for children
and adults with autism to communicate with others, and to understand verbal
and non-verbal communication. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious
behavior may be present. Persons with autism may exhibit repeated body
movements (hand flapping, rocking), unusual responses to people, or attachments
to objects, and resistance to changes in routines. Individuals may also
experience unusual sensitivities in the five senses of sight, hearing,
touch, smell and taste.
What
Is Autism? | Types of Autism | What
Causes Autism? | How is Autism Diagnosed?
What Are People with Autism Like? | Links
to More Information
Is There More Than One Type of Autism?
A diagnosis of "autistic disorder" is made in accordance with the Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, a diagnostic
handbook which is now in its fourth revision (commonly referred to as
"DSM-IV"). Several related disorders are grouped under the broader heading
of "Pervasive Developmental Disorder" or PDD. The DSM-IV lists criteria
to be met for each specific diagnosis under the category of PDD. Diagnosis
is made when a specified number of characteristics listed in the DSM-IV
are present. Diagnostic evaluations are based on the presence of specific
behaviors indicated by observation and through consultation with parents
and other caregivers, and should be made by an experienced, trained team.
Thus, when professionals or parents refer to "different types of autism,"
they are usually distinguishing autism from one of the other pervasive
developmental disorders.
The five Pervasive Developmental Disorders listed in DSM-IV are: Autistic
Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise
Specified (or "PDD-NOS"), Rett's Disorder and Childhood Disintegrative
Disorder.
There is no standard "type" or "typical" person with autism. Parents may
hear different terms used to describe individuals within the spectrum
of autism, such as: autistic-like, autistic tendencies, autistic spectrum,
high-functioning autism, low-functioning autism, etc. More important to
understand is, whatever the technical or descriptive diagnostic label,
these children and adults can learn and gain new skills throughout their
entire lives, provided that they are provided with the appropriate education
and treatment.
What
Is Autism? | Types of Autism | What
Causes Autism? | How is Autism Diagnosed?
What Are People with Autism Like? | Links
to More Information
What Causes Autism?
Researchers from all over the world are devoting considerable time and
energy in finding the answer to this critical question. Although a single
specific cause of autism is not known, current research links autism to
biological or neurological differences in the brain. In some families,
there seems to be a pattern of autism or related disabilities, which suggests
that there may be a genetic basis to the disability. Any genetic basis
is believed by researchers to be highly complex, probably involving several
genes in combination.
Several outdated theories about the cause of autism have been proven to
be false: autism is not a mental illness; children with autism are not
simply unruly kids who do not choose to behave; autism is not caused by
bad parenting. Further, no known psychological factors in the development
of a child have been shown to cause autism.
What
Is Autism? | Types of Autism | What
Causes Autism? | How is Autism Diagnosed?
What Are People with Autism Like? | Links
to More Information
How is Autism Diagnosed?
There are no medical tests for diagnosing autism. An accurate diagnosis
must be based on observation of the individual's communication, behavior
and developmental levels. However, because many of the behaviors associated
with autism are shared by other disorders, various medical tests may be
ordered to rule out or identify other possible causes of the symptoms
being exhibited.
What
Is Autism? | Types of Autism | What
Causes Autism? | How is Autism Diagnosed?
What Are People with Autism Like? | Links
to More Information
What Are People with Autism Like?
Every person with autism is an individual and, like all individuals, has
a unique personality and combination of characteristics. There are great
differences among people with autism. Educators and other service providers
must consider the individual pattern of learning strengths, weaknesses
and interests when assessing learning and behavior to ensure effective
intervention. Like all other individuals, persons with autism can learn
and continue to develop new skills throughout their lifetimes.
What
Is Autism? | Types of Autism | What
Causes Autism? | How is Autism Diagnosed?
What Are People with Autism Like? | Links
to More Information
Links to more information:
The US Government's site for autism information is:
www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/autism.cfm
An excellent site for research, general autism information and extensive
links is:
www.naar.org
For information and advocacy assistance concerning Minnesotans who have
autism:
www.arcminnesota.com
www.thearclink.org
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